Open Source 101
Open source is a way of building complex structures that allows many to participate and many to benefit. For software development, it was a revolution.
All software is made up of source code. Typically this code is hidden so the company that made it can protect their work and use it to make money. This is called the proprietary or closed source model.
But with open source software, the source code is open. You can see it, change it, improve it. And it's protected by a special license so if anyone else improves it, they can't redistribute it without the source code.
Open source simply changes the way software is developed. Companies like Red Hat who provide open source software don't create it specifically for profit, but sell services and other solutions that help customers take advantage of that software.
From the start, the idea was to build better software faster. And that's what it has done--particularly for the most recognized open source software: Linux. It's reliable, secure, easy to manage, and most of all--it's dramatically, fundamentally less expensive.
When everyone is allowed to collaborate, and build on existing tools, better software will be the ultimate result. Bugs in the software will be found and fixed faster. And when many eyes critically view the software's source code, they can more easily identify possible security exposures.
Open source also allows schools to be flexible in their choice of vendors. If they are not happy with the service they receive from Red Hat, they can choose another Linux vendor. This prevents schools from being "locked-in" to their technology or support contracts.
Linux quickly has gained popularity because it is inexpensive and extremely reliable and versatile. Linux servers have been known to run for months, even years without needing to reboot. And it can be used to run a server or desktop, even small embedded devices.
For older students learning programming, the source code itself is a valuable learning tool. Just as a watchmaker learns by taking apart a watch and seeing the gears turn, there is a significant benefit to seeing and learning from software code.
This concept is not only applicable in software development. MIT recently chose to post its entire course curriculum on its website, calling it "OpenCourseWare". Rather than keep their wealth of priceless knowledge within the walls of the university, they chose to share it. Imagine the value this will have for universities, particularly those in developing countries.
Interface to interface
For teachers and students accustomed to Macintosh and Windows operating systems, the thought of moving to Linux might be intimidating. But it's more familiar than you think.
In fact, Red Hat Linux, and its default interface, GNOME with new Nautilus file manager, are designed to be very simple for Macintosh and Windows users. Layout and basic functions are similar, but GNOME offers vastly more possibilities for customizing your system. Also included is the KDE interface, which many believe even more closely resembles Windows.
View a large version of the GNOME desktop.
View a large version of the KDE desktop.
Applications
One of the most common questions educators ask is about applications. Will you have the software you need to teach your students? And are free software applications as good as the Windows and Macintosh software you're using now?
The question to ask first: What do you and your students use computers for?
The most common response would be email, browsing the Web, and using an office suite. Here, open source definitely makes the grade. Netscape provides both access to email and the Web. And Sun StarOffice has proven to be a more-than-capable replacement for Microsoft Office, providing a mature office suite and easy file transfer to and from Microsoft Office.
As classroom needs become even more specialized, finding replacements becomes a little more difficult. But very specialized open source learning applications do exist, including scheduling, gradebooks, and a wide range courseware, and are growing in number every day. Seul-edu has collected a list of open source education applications.
And if you have specific needs that currently aren't met by existing applications, a simple message to a mailing list could prompt the start of a new project to create that application. This is what makes the open source model so beneficial to educators and their students.
